Camping is a great way to get away from it all and enjoy some time in nature. But if you want to bring along your toys—like ATVs, motorcycles, or even extra gear—you’ll need to decide whether a toy hauler or a regular camper is right for you. In this blog post, we’ll discuss each option’s pros and cons to help you make the best decision for your needs.

Toy Haulers

Pros:
• Can carry more gear: A toy hauler is an excellent option if you like to bring a lot of equipment—or even just a few larger items. These campers have larger storage areas specifically designed to hold bulky or heavy items.
• More versatile: A toy hauler can be used as both a camper and a storage unit, giving you more flexibility on your camping trips.
• Higher resale value: Because they’re more versatile and can be used for more than just camping, toy haulers generally have a higher resale value than regular campers.

Cons:
• More expensive: Toy haulers are usually more costly than regular campers, both upfront and in terms of fuel costs. They’re also typically heavier, so you’ll need a bigger, more powerful vehicle to tow them.
• Not as comfortable: Because they’re designed with function over form, toy haulers often sacrifice some of the creature comforts that regular campers offer, including kitchenettes and bathrooms.

Regular Campers

Pros:
• More comfortable: Regular campers are designed with comfort in mind. They typically have kitchenettes, bathrooms, and plenty of storage space for your clothes and other personal belongings.
• Cheaper upfront cost: Regular campers are usually less expensive than toy haulers, both upfront and in terms of fuel costs. And because they’re lighter, you can tow them with a smaller vehicle.
• More aerodynamic: The boxier design of most toy haulers makes them less aerodynamic than regular campers. This causes them to be less fuel-efficient, which means higher fuel costs over time.

Cons:
• Can’t carry as much gear: If you have a lot of equipment or large items you want to bring along on your trip, a regular camper might not have enough space to accommodate everything.
• Less versatile: Unlike toy haulers, regular campers can’t be used for anything other than camping trips (although some models can be equipped with bike racks or cargo carriers). This means they generally have lower resale values.

As you can see, there are pros and cons to both toy haulers and regular campers. It comes down to what’s most important to you on your camping trips. If having all the comforts of home is important to you, then a regular camper is probably the way to go. But a toy hauler might be the better option if you want the ability to bring along more gear—or even use your camper for other purposes. No matter what you choose, happy camping!

Imperial Trailers is a third-generation family-owned business. We started in the 1940s as a service station and home heating oil business. From our own camping experiences, we got into selling used camping trailers during the 1950s. As an additional service, we also offer outside storage and LP gas.